Pet shop ‘destroyed’ by fire set to reopen
A FORMER Derbyshire pet shop destroyed in a fire last year is set to be renovated and reopened.
The former 1st 4 Pets store, in Bath Street, Ilkeston, was hit by the blaze last October, with no animals harmed and the owners escaping safely – after initially trying to fend off the flames.
Since then, the property has remained vacant, with widespread damage having been caused by what the fire service described at the time as a “significant” blaze.
Documents filed to Erewash Borough Council by Peter Woods say the ground floor would be restored with a new shop front, and the upper floors converted into flats.
They detail that the property has been in the applicant’s family’s ownership since 1972, having originally operated the shop unit as a gents outfitters until 1993, and continued as a pet shop until the fire ravaged the building on October 9, 2021.
The fire saw the roof and first floor being completely destroyed, and extensive smoke damage throughout
The report filed with the application details: “The fire saw the roof and first floor being completely destroyed, and extensive smoke damage throughout.
“Works to rectify the damage caused by the fire started in June 2022 and are still ongoing.
“Following completion of the insurance works to return the property back to a usable state, it is proposed to convert the current first floor space to a separate self-contained flat.
“Access to the proposed flat will be gained through the current staffroom, with the rear of the current shop becoming a new proposed kitchen/dining space, with the remainder of the living space formed on the first floor, to create a twobedroom flat.”
The report says the proposed works would enhance the building with a new shop front which would also remove some additions to the property which have been constructed over time.
This shop front would include a black aluminium frame and timber window frames, with the use intended for a small, local start-up business.
A decision on the plans will be made by the borough council in the next few months.